"Art is the Queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world." Leonardo Da Vinci
The room was circular with a similar circular table in its center. There was a hearth to one side and bookshelves lined the walls that conformed to the room's sphere shape. The walls were painted a pale and calming blue color to soothe one's mind. This wouldn't have seemed to be a war room to anyone but those that planned it.
They were all there, the remaining Senshi of the sol system. It was rather a depressing sight seeing only so few remaining, but they still held out the hope to defeat Jamil's group.
Still, one of their numbers hadn't arrived yet. This was most worrisome for it was she who had called the meeting in the first place.
"Do you have any idea why she called us?" Makoto asked glancing around at those that were assembled.
Luna glances around; the feline said nothing for a moment, though she was very worried about her charge.
"I know we're all worried about her." Artemis said sitting up more. The white cat glances up at them. "But we must keep faith in her and in what we believe is right."
To that, they all agreed, though Endymion had to question it silently in his mind. 'What if what we think is right and our faith in her go two different paths?'
Though the object of their thoughts entered in her senshi form, gracefully, the slender pale woman moved around the round table as she began to speak.
"I've devised a simple, yet very effective plan on defeating our enemies." She paused beside her husband and child. Those dark blue eyes flickered to the remaining senshi that were there. "All you have to do is have faith in me and in yourself and in what we are fighting for."
Again she paused looking at them, "I know you all will remember how they always come to us…this time we'll bring the fight to them."
"Elysion…your mind is very troubled. Tell me what is wrong."
Elysion had left the underground world in favor of walking the streets. The young warrior had let her mind wander as her feet guided her to Guujin Players and 'Grandfather' had warmly welcomed her. Currently, they were sitting in his workshop, sipping peach tea while he told her about one of his adventures when he was collecting the puppets and dolls.
At the moment though, he sets the blade down and watched her.
Elysion took another sip of the lukewarm drink before looking up at him, her blue-gray eyes looked more gray now then before. She sighs softly setting the coffee mug down.
"I don't know what to do grandfather." She started before glancing around a bit and then at him. "You know that I am the king's bastard…I.." she trails off before staring at him. "Can you keep a secret?"
The old man considered her for a moment before nodding. "Of course. Now tell grandfather what is troubling you so, child."
Elysion blinks a bit, feeling the heated tears starting to slide down her face as she told her story. She couldn't believe how strongly she had felt about it all. She had told no one-not even her constant companion Terran, of how -she- felt.
All she had wanted….
"All I wanted to do was get to know him. I wanted a real daddy, but I can't even call the king anything but 'king' or 'sire'." She rubs her eyes a bit. " I know I shouldn't be like this. I should be glad that I even have friends and made some friends amongst the senshi…but some times…I want him to be my daddy too, like he is with Usa…"
She sighs softly, " And then…everything just went wrong. The attack during the shared birthday party. People finding out who I really was to him and the queen's became angry at me and…and mama...Jamil…"
She rubs her face and bites down on her lower lip trying to control herself, " Grandfather, because of me the majority of the Sol senshi are in hospital beds. Because of my family!" She looks at him and took the tissue that he gave her. "Even the queen said it…and they say she is the kindest of all…"
He leans over and gave her a hug as she cleaned up her face a bit.
"It's okay, Elysion." He told her trying to soothe her nerves a little. Though inwardly he cursed himself. No one should go through such confliction of the heart. Still, he waited until she felt like she could control herself.
"Say, why don't I put on a play for you?"
She rubs her eyes and nods. "Thanks."
Getting up, the old man moves to the small theater setting up everything before he began.
The curtain on the small theater pulls back as the lights went low, a spotlight focused on the puppets and the story began…
'The Prince grew to be a handsome young man with many admires. He was as popular among his people as his mother and father were.
Everything seemed to be going well. The prince attended a ball held for the princess of the moon and there were rumors that the prince had caught the moon maiden's fancy.
And this is where the true tragic tale begins….'
The Curtains closed then opened again and a dark haired female puppet was kneeling before what seemed to be water and the puppet looked to be in a trance before it looks up again.
'The Seeress of the hidden tribe had a vision, one that could have changed the path to earth for good. At the same time, the maidens of Elysian were struck with the same vision. In both visions, it was vague but the meaning was unmistakable.
Both went to the king and queen of earth with their visions.'
The puppets moved and the scenes were changed. Three of the puppets began to speak.
'
"A path will be changed by earth's
crowned child. Listen well: the light of the moon may alter this
path. A jealous heart may scorn the road. Heed caution! This one
shall condemn us all to a shallow grave."'
And so the story went on. How the queen and king of earth lined up prospective ladies for the prince to marry. How the prince only had eyes for the princess of the moon and wouldn't even acknowledge the chief, whom had taught him all he knew, feelings for him nor the maiden that also was obsessed with him.
Elysion was fascinated with the tale and how it was oddly familiar. The story progressed into the familiar love story of the prince of earth and the princess of the moon. The side story to it caught her interest. While the prince had left to warn the people of the moon, his father and mother were at the palace with their guards.
Elysion wanted to blink, because she could have sworn she saw something. The curtains closed then opened to a scene so vivid she thought she could reach out and touch it. It looked like a vision.
The chief was confronting a woman with dark hair that was tinted dark red.
' "How dare you betray the sacred trust of our sect!" the chief had said.
But the woman had only replied, "You are all blinded by those of the moon, and for that you shall die!"'
She watched them battle it out, but clearly the chief was at a disadvantage and the other woman had killed her. Then more deaths followed, the king, queen, servants that remained loyal to the throne before eventually it went to the moon.
'The same dark haired woman had yelled at the prince, "My prince do you not fight for earth?"
"This is not the way! Stop this senseless battle!" the prince had countered.
But in rage the woman had slew the man. And in turn, the princess committed suicide.
Everyone had died.
But the queen of the moon had sent them all to the future on earth.'
The curtains closed and Elysion blinked as the vision disappeared before her. She rubs her head. "Grandpa, was that the tale of the Silver Millennium?"
The old man was putting up the puppets carefully, "Yes, it was."
"I've never heard that version of it." She says watching him for a moment, "It's always, about the main part. The prince always falls for the princess."
"Some times the tales gloss over the truth or omit parts that are not exciting." He told her before settling down. "That is how details of our history is lost forever because someone does not wish to put it all down on paper." Sipping his cold tea he looks her over, "Are you feeling better, Elysion?"
She thought about it and nods a bit rubbing her eyes slightly, "Yeah, I do." Smiling slightly, she gets up and hugs him. "Thanks for cheering me up, Grandpa."
He returns the hug with a smile of his own. The pale man then stood up and motions her over to the puppets and dolls. "You may pick one to keep." He told her.
Elysion looked between him and the dolls and puppets. "Only one?" She pouted slightly but only smiles a little as she scans the fine trinkets. There were so many and she was having a hard time picking one. "I guess I'll take this one." She told him leaning over plucking up a beautiful doll.
It was breathtaking little porcelain doll. The doll wore a lovely Southern style gown that had long sleeves with white lace at the end of them. There was also lace that parted the middle of the gown to reveal the white under skirt. The bodice was similar to the skirt of the dress. White ruffles covered the center of the chest. A small gold chain belt with a ruby brooch in the center seemingly connected both the skirt and bodice. The entire dress was black velvet with a matching chocker at the pale neck. The doll's hair was dark that tumbled down to the waist in waves while the eyes were light brown almost dark gold in color. There was also a lovely half rose wreath in the doll's hair like a tiara.
The doll even had two satin black shoes on its tiny feet.
Elysion looks at him a little, " You don't mind if I take this one?"
The old man looks at the doll before nodding, "But if you take her, you must take this one too. For they are somewhat of a pair." He held up a classic late 18th century male doll. He was also dressed in all black velvet and white satin. He had pale hair with dark emerald eyes. A rose was in his front breast pocket as well.
Nodding, Elysion smiles as Grandpa took both the dolls to put them in their carrying cases. Returning he told her how to keep them pristine and clean. "Take very good care of them."
"I will, see you later, Grandpa and thanks for cheering me up." She felt better as she returned to the crystal palace. She didn't even know what would await her there.
"Lack of knowledge is darker than night." Anonymous
Thanks to my betas and Sakky-chan for the prophecy.